Of course 5 stars, beaches rock!!!! :D this is a nice relaxing chill beach where you can enjoy your lunch just gazing into the ocean. They have lots of benches up top to kick back and grub on a sandwich (they have a good sandwich shop down below) or just kick it with a nice fun beautiful babe. The benches are pretty spaced out so you can have some time to yourself or with friends, girls, or girls. Next time I'm gonna check out the sandwich shop. read more

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Moonlight beach used to be my regular beach I would go to whenever in the San diego area. Lately it has been way overcrowded everytime we come. We usually walk pretty far down on the sand to find an empty spot but lately that walk has increased greatly. The parking is also a nightmare due to this. You can spend alot of time searching for a spot. There's a nice parking lot that can make the walk to beach much shorter and its free. The parking lot is nice and empty on a cloudy day. This beach has all the amenities you could ask for at a beach. There's volleyball courts, bonfire pits, and even a little snack bar area. There's also so many food places in this area to check out before or after your time at the beach. read more

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After 2 drafts and 2 draughts I completely changed my opinion on Moonlight. Initially I was going to review pre-remodel and then post re-model, but with the upgrades and changes and this review not being about me I went with the later. Me and Moonlight go way back and it holds a special place in my life. The sand is nice, not nearly as much debris as other beaches, great views. Parking in the upper lot can be hectic, but the lower cul de sac is worth it, though I've walked half a dozen blocks to get here also. The bathrooms and concession are much nicer now than before and even before they were nicer than 80% of the San Diego beach facilities. Having a lifeguard facility is great, not just a tower that's only used 6-8 weeks in the summer also doubles as the Jr. Lifeguards training facility. The volleyball courts are fan favorites and even before the remodel the children's playground upgrade from a few years ago added tons of appeal. My only gripe was the relocation of the fire pits. I fully understand the want to upgrade and make them accessible. I don't disagree with it, but having a decade of memories celebrating life of friends lost and having seen luau pigs cooked and served, weddings saddened me to see the change. I guess it was inevitable, but probably not being an Encinitas resident I had no say. I do appreciate the upgrades for myself and the community. The new set up is catered more towards the community, rather than the large groups who set up tables, tends, cook and celebrate on weekends. It's more difficult to lock down the large swatches needed hot have 20-30 people. read more

Beautifulllll beach. Love that it wasn't too crowded at all when we went. Parking was easy. They have a big playground and fire pits. Showers to rinse off. Clean restrooms. Lifeguards on duty. What more could you ask for in a beach! read more

My friend brought me to Moonlight State Beach and I really enjoyed it. The whole beach is just beautiful. The water is cold of course, nothing like the waters in South Beach or Hilton Head, but beautiful nonetheless. This is a great place for people watching, collecting beautiful rocks, watching surfers/ boogie boarders or just to relax with family and friends while enjoying a picnic or BBQ. [Review #568] (48th Review of 2018) read more

This beach is easily accessible from parking almost anywhere in Encinitas, but there is a really lovely parking lot and street parking just off the 101. There are facilities here too! Bathrooms/changing stall, shower rinses, and many lifeguards. There is also a concession stand, volleyball courts, firepits, and a playground for kids. This beach is absolutely gorgeous as well, a great spot to watch the sunset in the evening. The cliffs make for a very dramatic beach, and I personally think this beach is best at low tides because it becomes so much more expansive. At high tide it's really hard to park anywhere down the beach as the waves come almost right up to the cliffs. This beach is also very sandy and smooth, great for barefoot walking. There's almost no shells/rocks here like just down the beach at San Elijo. The surfing seems better a little further south at San Elijo as well, but boogie boarding here was fun and the bonus is you don't have to wear water shoes. read more

Moonlight State Beach - Surfer at sunset - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Great beach but can get pretty crowded. Open during the pandemic but the majority are not mindful of face coverings and sufficient social distancing during peak hours. Recommend going during off peak hours if you are crowd phobic right now. read more

Moonlight State Beach - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

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I may have just gone on a perfect day but the sun was shining and the waves were great. We got there after noon but still were able to find a spot to set up a shade, chairs, and blankets towards the back. As the day progressed the waves got stronger and the tide came in and most of the beach disappeared. We watched people's stuff almost float away more then once. The conversion stand line was long but I was happy to see that the prices were fairly reasonable. Water was $4, so make sure to bring your own, but my grilled cheese sandwich was $7. There are clean bathrooms. Parking was a pain but not impossible. read more

Beautiful, clean beach with showers to rinse off and a snack bar selling food, refreshments, and Moonlight Beach sweatshirts for colder days at the beach! When I lived in San Marcos, this was the closest beach to me - a short 12 minute drive away with plenty of parking along the local streets! It is not always warm at this beach so from about November through April you'll need to bring a blanket if you're just going to sit and enjoy the scenery. If you have plans to walk along the beach, make sure you come at low tide, as there isn't much shoreline along the cliffs at high tide. This is common for most of the north county shoreline, however. This beach is walkable to several really great food establishments and local shops. If you bring takeout to the beach, you will make fast friends with all the local seagulls - and they are vigilant! read more

Beautiful beach in north county. It's located just steps from shopping and dining.. has plenty of playground and volleyball courts. Not much room to lay out as the beach itself is down a sandy hill and the high tide limits actual sitting room. Its nice to walk along the shore-- however, in its beauty..are rocks.. and lots of them.. so watch your feet! read more

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I haven't been to the beach in years. It's been a pretty long time... I've been in Washington with the pine trees and mountains for far too long since my trip to San Diego, I had this obsession with getting to the beach. I'm so glad I did. We went early in the morning, coffee in hand - shoes off, and sand in the toes. So beautiful. Such a breath taking view of the surfers, the pelicans and the vast ocean beyond. Note: I super appreciate the foot washing station. read more

Moonlight State Beach - Still in awe of how beautiful it is here. - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

We recently took a family trip to Carlsbad for 5 days and it happened to be during a heat wave in the middle of October. So we decided to check out a nearby beach and our hotel staff recommended Moonlight beach. We packed up and headed there. We were able to find easy street parking and walked about 5 minutes to the beach. There were nice restroom facilities, outdoor showers and a very cute playground before the beach. We arrived at the beach around 430 and it was still very warm and crowded. The tide was very low and the waves very distant so our kids were able to play safely in the water. I walked along the beach with our baby in his carrier and enjoyed the amazing views and nice breeze. We enjoyed the beach so much we returned the next day! That second day there were even more people and there was a bubble blower who made large bubbles for the children to play (see attached pictures). The kids had a wonderful time and we loved watching them play. The scenery is just amazing here and we can't wait to return again some day soon! read more

Moonlight State Beach - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Beautiful place to watch the sun set. read more

Moonlight State Beach - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

A small very public but fortunately often not too crowded North County beach. Depending on the day or time, street parking is available, and also loads of handicap parking near the beach. As the tide comes up it get harder to be near the water and sometimes there is a little river (no big deal, unless you are wearing tennis shoes) headed to the surf, separating Moonlight from any movement north, but over all this is a very nice, "chill" beach. Sometimes you'll find only surfers in the water, but even on colder winter days there might be a few brave swimmers without wet suits. You can also park above Moonlight, farther up B street, and walk down a dirt path to the beach. Showers and restrooms, and a lifeguard tower, all right there. Enjoy! read more

Best beach for the families in North County. They have a huge parking lot that can get filled quickly so advice is to come early especially on weekends. When we arrived around 11 AM, the lot was full but we had no problems finding street parking nearby. The surrounding neighborhoods are hilly as you descend on the beach, but have to ascend back up, so I would not recommend this for small children or anyone with mobility issues. For all others, it is a great hike. The beach itself is clean and spacious. There is a playground for kids, bathrooms, beach volleyball, a concession stand, rentals etc...basically whatever makes a great beach great you will find here. It gets packed but finding a peaceful spot should not be an issue but requires a bit of walking. The water was warm in early September and perfect for swimming but abundance of seaweeds and huge waves don't allow venturing off too far from the coast. Moonlight Beach is made for families and fun times and you will not find too many surfers around here. Which is a good thing because there are so many beaches in the area that are filled with surfers. So it is nice to have one where that is not the case. read more

Moonlight State Beach - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

I read an article about San Diego's best beaches. They really nailed it with this beach. We will definitely come back. Beautiful clean beach, parking is a bit tough but manageable. Plenty of street parking, be prepared to walk down. Love the feel of soft sand on my while bathing. Free of seaweeds! We totally loved! read more

Trust those who Yelp regularly... This was my first visit to Moonlight Beach, but will certainly not be my last. A very locals-only, community beach feel. Just three volleyball courts... With a real need for updated nets and lines, but convenient if you can get it on amongst the competition. A couple more courts added on this beach would be fantastic. I would come again... read more

Moonlight State Beach - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

Clean beach with nice bathrooms. The beach itself has huge expanse of sand where you can just walk out into the ocean. No tide pools. Safe for swim, surf and boogie boarding. Beach was VERY crowded. Free limited parking. read more

Moonlight State Beach is a nice Encindas local beach that offers free parking, nice long beaches along with some other amenities. Fire pits, volleyball courts, picnic tables and other services are available at the entrance of the beach. Free nearby parking is also available, which is a great perk for getting in and out easily. I visited in November, so I feel like the ease of access and beach space might be compromised, but can't speak to summertime popularity. Concession food was pretty good, nothing crazy but definitely offered you a good bite. I do think that they could step up their game in terms of bathrooms and other services. read more

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I can't believe I haven't reviewed this beach yet! It's our must stop every time we are in Encinitas, simply for the fact that it's located right by downtown where my favorite shopping is, so it always goes hand in had, shop and lounge on the beach here. Free parking and they have plenty, we have found one every single time. Beautiful and clean, showers and bathrooms, great beach to take kids! read more

Moonlight State Beach is a gorgeous spot for a pit stop on your drive along the coast. There's nothing better than an opportunity to stretch your legs, while taking in a view. Warm SoCal sunshine + sound of crashing waves + a cool ocean breeze = weekend made. Bonus points if you make it at sunset. Snap some brilliant pics to savor for later and make your social network jealous while you're at it. :P read more

Great beach, definitely more on the family-friendly side. + Lifeguards. + Bathrooms/showers. + Concession stand. - Parking can be a bit tight. - It can also get a bit crowded. I came on a weekday afternoon and there was a surprisingly large amount of people. read more

Lovely! Beautiful! Breathtaking! Can't wait to return! Loved this beach! Clean & memorable sunset. read more

Moonlight State Beach - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

Once upon a time, I danced under the light of the moon here. With Glenn Miller Orchestra music, and my prince; it was one of the loveliest nights of my life. read more

This is my favorite beach at San Diego!! They have volleyball, bonfires, beautiful scenery, so many cool places close by, and are in an awesome town! Swami beach is close and so is the meditation gardens which I highly recommend. I came here for a nice relaxing sunset on the beach and that's exactly what I got. Chill vibes and beautiful scenery! Parking was def not an issue and I was able to find one in a matter of minutes. If I ever host an event, I would do it here because it's so chill! Def check this beach out! read more

I am constantly visiting my local beach. One can go running, walk the dog, have a picnic, etc any time of the day. The name of the beach is perfect because it does provide a nice vantage point to watch the moon go into the water. There is one volleyball court perfect for people watching. You can stay near the parking lot or head down closer to shore to have a walk under the cliffs. The beach is also a short walk from Encinitas' food and drink life. And I love that San Diego's top coffee place, Lofty coffee, has two locations that is about a 10 minute slow walk from this beach read more

This beach is absolutely wonderful! It is a great place to have a bonfire with friends or play volleyball. It is a great place to walk around too. read more

The location is a gem. Family friendly. Clean . The sand is so pretty . The water is clear . It's a whole vibe. There's a bunch of healthy activity going on. Definitely coming back . We drove almost 2 hours to come check it out read more

Moonlight State Beach - These tikis are up for grabs along the volleyball court area . Super cute ! - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Beautiful and clean beach that is easy to walk on with packed sand and rocks. Clean public bathrooms. Excellent parking lot.

Matt the lifeguard is a legend. He was there when nobody else was and saved our evening from a state of mediocre wood burning to a truly savage bonfire. (Thanks for the free wood) read more

One of the most gorgeous beaches in the san diego area. We like to watch the sunset here after a day at the zoo. Plenty of sand space to play or lounge in. It has public bathrooms which is much better than some beaches that just have portable toilets. Come early and get good parking! read more

Moonlight State Beach - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

FIVE Solid Stars for the Lifeguards and fellow surfers here, in addition to it being a rocking beach for running, picnics, and some of the best/cleanest beach volleyball lots in North County. Last weekend one of my surfing buds was hit by a stingray deep in his right ankle and it turns out that he is really allergic to the venom. Boy, you should have heard him scream, in and out of the water! The Moonlight Beach Head Lifeguard and ALL of his staff were awesomely professional and gave some of the finest emergency care. They deserve major recognition for superior excellence in helping people! Major kudos also to the other surfers who kept watch over our boards and backpacks on the beach while we spent 90+ minutes at the lifeguard station. While the surf can be hit or miss here,it's good to know that you are in safe hands with the solid H2O safety professionals at Moonlight Beach! Shuffle,shuffle, shuffle those feet people! read more

On Mother's Day traditionally you go and have brunch...but when you have kids it just doesn't make sense. So instead, we had for a fabulous picnic with the perfect ocean view on Moonlight Beach! This beach is not too big and our friends who live in Encinitas love coming here so you'll definitley find lots of locals here. Free parking in the lot or along the streets makes it a breeze. You'll encounter a bit of a steep hike to go down to the beach but it's not a far walk. Lots of lifeguards and a playground too. Beach had lots of kelp but overall it was a great day and the kids had fun. What a wonderful Mother's Day! read more

Easy To Find - Hard To Leave If you are a tourist or visitor, you get on I5, go west on Encinitas Blvd and arrive when you hit the ocean. If you are a local you get on either 101 or Encinitas Blvd (or walk) to get to this classic California-cool beach. Either way, plan on staying a while. Classic SoCal Beach Imagine a SoCal beach. Yep - Moonlight Beach is what you just envisioned. A Beach Of All Trades Moonlight Beach isn't the largest beach, but it is a bit like a Swiss Army knife... it has: * Volleyball courts * Bathroom and showers * Lifeguards * Plenty of parking * Surfing designated beach * Non-surfing designation as well * Classic sand * An iconic palm tree in the middle of the beach * Fire pits (hard to find these days) * Snack bar with hamburgers and ice cream * Generally gentle waves * Laid back locals I could go on, but you get the idea. Got Wood? It hosts a Woodie Car Festival once a year and there are often little "events" from small vendors to surf contests to... Rip Currents When big waves come, rip currents form. The lifeguards will warn you when necessary http://bit.ly/RipCurrentSafety Parking Parking is generally safe, but get there early on nice days. If you need to eat while at the beach, besides the little food stand, you should just leave your car and walk into downtown, old Encinitas. Flashback Bring your sun umbrella, your beach chair, your surfboard and park yourself. After about 15 minutes you would swear you have been transported back to the 70's. Beach Walk As a bonus, except a super high tide, you can walk for a couple of miles along the beach, either going north or south. The bluffs provide a peaceful boundary protecting you and your thoughts from the normal hectic SoCal lifestyle. Wait There Is More There is more information on Moonlight at http://www.MoonlightBeach.com and a FaceBook page to follow local news at https://www.facebook.com/MoonlightBeachEncinitas/ Whew, you made it to the end. Thanks. Read all my reviews here bit.ly/RodsYelpReviews I would be very appreciative if you could rate me below: Was this review Useful / Funny / Cool read more

Gorgeous beach, quite crowded on a sunday. A guy makes giant bubbles there often which makes it a fun atmosphere. Lots of kids on this beach. Bathrooms which actually have soap. Street parking wasn't too terrible. Life guard on duty. Fun place to people watch. read more

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My new favorite beach in North County. I will still go to Carlsbad (it's just closer than Moonlight Beach) but I am in love with this beach. It's really a great family spot. Playground, concession stand, volleyball area, plenty of parking (I'm sure it's not as easy to park here- we just lucked out when we went). I'll definitely be back! read more

Moonlight beach's features are pretty unique for the area. There are some nice lookouts away from the sand where you can enjoy the views sans sand, nearby coffee and icecream shops to grab a refreshment before heading down to the water, bonfire pits, bathrooms, showers, lifeguard station, snack shops, and grassy park areas. While I don't recommend this beach for boogie boarding because of its rocky shoreline, it's great for wading and pretty flat. This beach is very popular in the summer, so keep that in mind. Even with all the crowds during this time, it's still easy enough to find a parking within a reasonable walking distance. Perfect for kids because of these amenities! read more

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went here today, and I'm surprised to see so many 5 star reviews. Yes, Encinitas is a beautiful town, the beach has great amenities, easy parking, etc.....BUT what is up with all the BIG ASS piles of seaweed all over the beach?? and to make it worse, the BILLIONS of little flies buzzing all around the seaweed are SO ANNOYING!!!! ugh!!! Why can't the city have couple of trucks drive up and down the beach every morning dragging a big rake and scrape all that crap up? The beach is closed from 2am to 4am every day. they could do it during that time?? read more

Moonlight State Beach - Too many piles of seaweed infested with annoying sand flies!! - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

Great beach for hanging out! I would recommend wearing some shoes if you'd like to go for a walk. Other than that, it was a beautiful beach. read more

Moonlight State Beach - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Saturday mornin, Surfrider Beach Cleanup Day? Im down, lets do it, ive never been to the Moonlight before! I try to not go to the 'main beaches' anywhere as im not the biggest fan of 'people'. BUT what the hell, there are occasionally exceptions to the rule! So, armed with a bucket, we set out to do our tiny part and clean up (an otherwise pretty damn clean) beach in Encinitas. I expected the usual, cigarette butts, candy and chips wrappers, beer cans, pieces of kids toys, etc. Please allow me to make a statement here: guys, cmon, i smoke, (unfortunately) at times on the beach im chillin at, BUT, i take my BUTTS with me damnit! Sometimes i use a tissue to blow my nose when i get outta the water, do i throw it on the ground or take it with me?! Cmon now! Trash is trash; i saw like 713 trash bins near the parking lot(s) stop bein lazy! Ya momma aint here to clean up after you! Now...what i did not expect was---OIL. Yes, oil strewn about ALL up and down this beach. Quite disturbing! What i happened to find more disturbing was the complacency of the other 'people' on the beach that i shared my new-found discovery with. Twas very confusing to me. I mean here we are, probably i dunno 100 people doin the cleanup, yet when i would show off my oil bounty to my fellow humans, they were no where near as disturbed, as appalled as ya pal Seven was holding and smelling this; this oil in my hands! One woman (who wasnt part of the Surfrider Cleanup), and i quote..."oh yea i saw some last week, i even had some stuck to my foot." Ohhhhh K. This woman with a small child acted like she stepped on a piece of gum! Like oh its no big deal its just OIL killing marine and wildlife, its just OIL that my small child will undoubtedly be swimming in 10 years from now. NOT ONE, that is, NOBODY that i showed or told of my discovery to...again, NOBODY reached down and picked up ANY oil (that i saw of) except ya pal Seven and the one he was with. NOBODY reacted in a meaningful way to this OIL on the beach! Am i in some alternate universe here? Or damnit, i realize...WOW, this has become the absolute most complacent society i have ever witnessed! When ya see it on 'the news' ya like damn, another oil spill, thats messed up. BUT when ya hold and smell the oil firsthand in ya hand, if it doesnt hit you upside your head with some reality, i dunno guys, its lookin like we're pretty....pretty....pretty; DOOMED!! Hold up a sec. Im not trying to come off as Seven the Savior here! Im not saying that me scoopin up 1/10th of 1% of the (assumed) oil spilled from Santa Barbara LAST YEAR is making me better than you or special---its not, it doesnt. I didnt come home a pat myself on the back for a job well done, believe me. I actually felt worse as i realized, i didnt go help clean the beach to 'be cool' or 'hip' or to make myself feel better. Anyone that knows me will tell ya 'Sev dont give a damn whatchoo think about him.' I dont care if you dont like me. Period! To summarize: if ya dont mind OIL, or more broadly, Corporations Manufacturing your Consent, than by all means, go get your friggin ice cream and nachos at the concession stand, stuff your fat face, leave ya trash on the beach to mix with the oil, and pretend everything is a-ok; a small part of me may even feel a bit of envy towards you for that ability, but frankly..... Watch the 1min 30sec clip of the opening scene of I Heart Huckabees and understand my exact feelings. Thats it, IM DONE! read more

Moonlight State Beach - Oil, for breakfast. - Playgrounds Near Me - Encinitas, California

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